No. 4 Penn State women’s hockey (25-4, 18-1 AHA) got the better of Robert Morris (10-17-2, 6-11 AHA) 3-0 at Beaver Stadium on Friday afternoon.

Highlights included goals by McKenna Walsh, Maddy Christian, and Grace Outwater as well as a shutout by Katie DeSa. Behind these efforts, the Nittany Lions cruised to another conference win in front of a record crowd for the first ever Division 1 hockey game at Beaver Stadium.

How It Happened

Mya Vaslet won the opening draw to get the game started. Christian tallied the first shot of the game from the low slot, but Robert Morris goaltender Maggie Hatch was there to turn her away.

After some back-and-forth action, Katelyn Roberts broke free but was stuffed by the blocker of Hatch. Mikah Keller also had a nice opportunity, but couldn’t solve Hatch.

With just under five minutes remaining in the first period, Keller was shut down again by Hatch after a Colonials turnover in their own zone.

With under a minute left, the Nittany Lions let off a flurry of shots, with Abby Stonehouse in particular getting two great looks, however Hatch continued her strong game to keep the game tied after the opening 20 minutes.

After Robert Morris won the faceoff to start the middle frame, Roberts got the period’s first shot, but again, the game remained scoreless.

The game’s first penalty occurred just under three minutes into the second when Laura Eustace was sent to the box for roughing, putting the Nittany Lions on the power play. The Colonials killed the penalty before Penn State could get much going, and the game stood at 0-0.

Robert Morris’s first real opportunity in the game came with just over nine minutes left in the middle period, where an onslaught of shots was let off from right in front of the net. DeSa rose to the occasion and made all the necessary stops.

Shortly after, Penn State finally opened up the scoring with a Walsh shot on an odd-man break to give the Nittany Lions the 1-0 lead.

Macker scores the first Division 1 goal in Beaver Stadium history! #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/MsLgbBXNzG

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) January 30, 2026

Just 51 seconds later, Christian extended the Penn State lead with a one-timer rocket off a feed from Grace Outwater.

What a pass by GO to set up Maddy for our second #WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/NiQrGshnbz

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) January 30, 2026

With 2:11 left to play in the second period, Ashlyn Ham was rung up for tripping to put the Nittany Lions on the man-advantage again. Like the first, Penn State’s second power play ended without much to show for it, and the home team would go into the second intermission up 2-0.

After a slow first few minutes of the final frame, Roberts and Stonehouse found themselves on an odd-man break with Stonehouse letting one rip and beating everything but the post, keeeping the Penn State lead at two.

Eustace got a breakaway of her own with a chance to put the Colonials on the board, but couldn’t get much of a handle on the puck and DeSa made the routine stop.

Roberts and Stonehouse again found themselves behind the Robert Morris defense but Hatch shut the door on Stonehouse with an amazing sliding save.

Soon after, Outwater would get one of her own, skating all around the Robert Morris defense to make the Penn State lead three.

Even the weather can't cool this line down#WeAre #HockeyValley pic.twitter.com/mmzyXmVRLV

— Penn State Women’s Hockey (@PennStateWHKY) January 30, 2026

Roberts still looked to get on the score sheet late, splitting two Colonial defensemen but again being stopped by Hatch. That proved to be last piece of action in this one and the Nittany Lions took the game 3-0.

Takeaways

• The Nittany Lions controlled the game offensivley, outshooting Robert Morris 37-11.
• Despite limited action in front of her Katie DeSa was stout when her number was called to ensure her 22nd career shutout.
• With 1,838 people in attendance, Penn State women’s hockey had its largest crowd ever for the first Division 1 hockey game at Beaver Stadium.

What’s Next?

The Nittany Lions will return to Pegula Ice Arena to conclude their series with Robert Morris on Saturday, January 31. Puck drop is set for 6 p.m. with the game being streamed on Big Ten Plus.